Dan Quinn's understated revenge mission could spark Commanders' season

The Washington Commanders take their season on the road to the Atlanta Falcons with a chance to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Injuries are a concern, with star quarterback Jayden Daniels once again questionable and wide receiver Terry McLaurin additionally dealing with a quad issue. Reports have been conflicting about the severity of the two-time Pro Bowler's complication, and Commanders fans can only hold their breath.

On the plus side, the Falcons should be a team they take care of business against, even on the road. If they do, it will be gratifying for head coach Dan Quinn.

Commanders should be striving to get Dan Quinn revenge on his Atlanta return

Quinn was the head coach of the Falcons for five seasons between 2015 and 2019, before being unceremoniously fired five games into the 2020 campaign. During his tenure, he led Atlanta to a pair of playoff appearances and, most notably, a Super Bowl appearance, where they infamously blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots.

Despite his era ultimately being remembered for the wrong reasons, Quinn helped the Falcons reach some of their loftiest heights in franchise history. He took them to a level of relevance they haven't even remotely sniffed since.

The 2017 season remains the last time Atlanta reached the playoffs. Throughout the 2020s, the team has been perpetually mired in directionless mediocrity.

Quinn, on the other hand, has found a new home where he is thriving. After three successful seasons as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator, he's become an immediate home-run hire with the Commanders, leading them to a 12-5 record and the NFC Championship game in Year 1.

He's a culture guy first and foremost. He has also learned some tactical lessons since the Super Bowl capitulation, adopting a more aggressive offensive strategy in Washington.

It's hard to say the Falcons did Quinn dirty. They were 0-5 at the time of his firing in 2020, with nowhere to go but up. But it certainly wasn't a move that aged well.

And make no mistake; it will be personal for Quinn upon his return to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium as a head coach for the first time.

The Commanders played Atlanta last year, winning in overtime to clinch their playoff berth in Week 16, but Quinn will have some added emotion for his trip to Atlanta. He might not want to draw much attention to the matter this week openly, but every single one of his players has to know what it would mean to him to stick it to his old team in their house.

Quinn's players adore him. He's a motivational figure to them, a warrior who sets the example by leading with passion and grit. They'll have some extra incentive to win this one for the man behind the bench.